As an embodiment of romance and opulence, the word “diamond” always evokes a sense of glamour and timeless sophistication. It symbolises eternal beauty and devotion, just like your love story! If you are here, that means you are ready to pop the iconic question and paint the perfect scene for your beloved. After you’ve chosen the most romantic location for a holiday that will turn into a surprise proposal, you need to find the best diamond engagement ring that will guarantee the most exciting and heartfelt YES! I mean, who can say no to diamonds?
However, if you are a novice when it comes to diamond buying, I am here to give you some pointers. After all, my husband proposed to me on holiday in the Bahamas, and I was completely swept off my feet! But his complete lack of knowledge about diamonds inspired me to write a section in my book, ‘Buying Gemstones and Jewelry Worldwide’, which can also serve as a guide. Inspired by our experience, I’ve mapped the key elements below to help you find the perfect heirloom for your love!
Which diamond engagement ring is best? Assess the quality of the diamond with the help of the 4Cs
Established by GIA (Gemological Institute of America), the 4Cs are the standard for evaluating the quality and authenticity of the diamond engagement ring. I don’t want to overwhelm you with information, so I will explain briefly which each of the Cs represent:
● COLOUR: Simply put, the more colourless the diamond is, the more it is rare, sought-after and valuable. You will find the colours are graded – there is a D to Z scale. When you see the diamond features a D grade, it is colourless. On the other hand, Z means it has a slight colouration, usually pale yellow or brown.
● CLARITY: The fewer internal features (inclusion) the diamond has – the higher it rates on the clarity scale. Of course, surface irregularities are also considered (blemishes). You will be able to evaluate the clarity with the Flawless to Included scale.
● CUT: You know when they raise a diamond in movies and analyse how it glimmers? This is where the cut gets into the picture. You can evaluate the quality of the cut by seeing how it interacts with light. Look for the diamond’s proportions, polish and symmetry to assess its brightness, fire (flashes), and sparkle.
● CARAT WEIGHT: You are probably familiar with this one – greater the carat weight (diamond’s size) means the gem is rare and incredibly valuable.
Define your partner’s aesthetic preferences
Naturally, you wish to find the perfect piece your beloved will simply adore! Usually, most are round-brilliant diamond rings, but you will find that many other shape options may delight your fiancée’s heart! Some to consider are pear, oval, marquise, rectangle, square and heart. You can decide together or secretly look at her jewellery and get a feel of her preferences.
In addition, consider the metal – does she like yellow gold, white gold, silver, platinum or maybe rose gold? The carat size will also play a role, along with the setting of the diamond (prongs or bezels). I suggest going for a timeless combination that she will adore for decades to come!
Buy only certified diamonds
Whether you buy a natural diamond that evokes a sense of romance and visual poetry, or a lab-grown gem that will adorn her hand with luxurious sophistication, always buy gemstones that are certified. You are investing in a one-of-a-kind diamond engagement ring your beloved will wear as a symbol of your eternal devotion – that means it needs to be as genuine as your love.
How to know if a diamond is real? In this case, you can check whether the certificate matches the diamond ring by looking at the girdle – the shop seller can show it to you with a loupe. This way, you are less likely to be duped regarding the genuineness of your chosen ring.
Never be shy to ask for details on the diamond engagement ring, and make sure the store is a reputable dealer.
I hope that you found my tips helpful! My sole wish is to help you find the ideal match and invest wisely. After all, your spouse-to-be deserves real diamonds!
If you’re interested in learning more about how to buy gemstones, and more on the ethical origin of diamonds, you may wish to consider purchasing ‘Buying Gemstones and Jewelry Worldwide’ book!
Kim Rix
Gemstone Detective
Be sure, Be smart, Buy with Confidence